Cheapest Auto Insurance in Charleston, West Virginia (2025)
State Farm offers the cheapest car insurance in Charleston, with minimum-coverage policies as low as $59 per month.
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Charleston, the capital city of West Virginia, has roots dating back to the late 1700s. Though it’s the most populous city in the Mountain State, Charleston has a population of only about 47,000.1 Drivers in Charleston pay an overall average of $122 per month for car insurance. That’s slightly higher than the state’s average cost of car insurance of $115.
The cost of car insurance in West Virginia is a little less than the overall national average of $141 per month. In less populated areas, drivers typically face a decreased risk of traffic accidents and property damage because fewer drivers are on the road. This may decrease the overall cost of car insurance for drivers in the area.
Here’s what you should know about finding cheap car insurance coverage in Charleston.
Quick Facts
Charleston drivers pay $90 per month for liability-only coverage and $154 for full coverage, on average.
State Farm is the cheapest car insurance company in Charleston for full coverage, with a monthly rate of $83.
Charleston drivers with incidents on their records pay an average of $102 per month for liability coverage.
3 of the cheapest car insurance companies in Charleston
Insurance companies take many factors into account when determining your premiums, including your age, ZIP code, vehicle type, and driving record.
Every company takes a slightly different approach to calculating premiums and assessing the risk you pose, which means you may get significantly different quotes across companies. Shopping around can help you lock in the best coverage for your situation.
Find more information below about three of the top insurance companies in Charleston that consistently offer low average rates and quality coverage.
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 500+ partner insurance providers. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.
Our editorial team spent more than 350 hours developing the Insurify Quality (IQ) Score and scoring insurance companies. The IQ Score objectively analyzes and calculates a score for insurers using more than 15 crucial criteria. The team weighted criteria by importance to the consumer — factors such as customer reviews and affordability influence the score more than availability and third-party ratings.
We rate each company on a 1 to 10 scale based on five categories: financial ratings, customer satisfaction, affordability, customer support and transparency, and availability. Insurify updates ratings once a year or as more recent information becomes available.
- Third-party financial ratings: Insurify uses data from AM Best, S&P, Moody’s, and more to compare insurance companies’ credit and ability to pay out future claims.
- Customer satisfaction: To calculate this score, Insurify analyzed more than 55,000 customer reviews across 155 car insurance companies. We also consider third-party ratings from J.D. Power, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, and Trustpilot.
- Affordability: Our data scientists analyzed more than 90 million real-time auto insurance rates from our partners across the U.S., as well as available discounts, to calculate an affordability score.
- Customer support and transparency: This measures coverage options, ease of claims filing, and the insurer's transparency surrounding discounts, coverages, and claims process.
- Availability and reach: Insurify scores availability and reach by identifying the number of states in which insurers offer coverage and company size by market share.
Best insurer for cheap rates: State Farm
Best insurer for veterans: USAA
Best insurer for families: Erie
How to get the cheapest car insurance in Charleston
Car insurance is an unavoidable expense. The good news is that you can find ways to save money on your necessary auto coverage.
Here are some different ways to help you save:
Shop around. Different companies offer varying car insurance rates. Shopping around is the best way to lock in the lowest rate for your unique situation.
Look for a discount. Many insurance companies provide a variety of discounts for customers. Take a minute to see if you qualify for any.
Increase your deductible. Setting a higher collision and comprehensive deductible often leads to lower auto insurance premiums. If you have the money on hand to cover a higher deductible, consider this option.
Cheapest liability-only car insurance in Charleston: State Farm
Liability car insurance covers any property damage and bodily injury you cause the other driver during an accident. This type of insurance won’t cover your own vehicle repair costs or medical expenses. Liability-only car insurance is generally the cheapest coverage option. But the lack of protection for your vehicle repairs could lead to an expensive bill after an accident.2
The average cost of liability insurance in the city is $90 per month, and here are some of the cheapest car insurance options in Charleston.
Cheapest full-coverage car insurance in Charleston: State Farm
Full-coverage car insurance provides more financial protection than a liability-only policy. On top of liability coverage, a full-coverage auto insurance policy includes collision and comprehensive coverage. After an incident, this type of policy can help you pay to repair or replace your vehicle.
Most auto lenders require drivers with an auto loan or lease to carry this coverage, but it’s a good idea for any driver who wants to avoid out-of-pocket expenses after an at-fault accident.
The average cost of full coverage is $154 per month, but the table below shows the cheapest companies in Charleston to start your search.
Car insurance requirements in West Virginia
It’s illegal to drive on public roads in West Virginia without a minimum amount of liability insurance. In addition to property damage and bodily injury liability insurance, you also need to purchase uninsured motorist coverage. And, per West Virginia law, insurance companies must also give you the option to purchase underinsured motorist coverage.
Take a look at the state’s minimum insurance requirements below:3
Many drivers decide to purchase more than the minimum insurance requirements, for a greater level of financial protection. Here’s a look at some of the optional coverages you can consider:
Cheapest car insurance for drivers with an incident
Making a mistake on the road can have a lasting effect on the cost of your car insurance premiums. In general, drivers with an incident on their record — like a speeding ticket, driving under the influence charge, or at-fault accident — pay more for car insurance than people with a clean driving record.4 Incidents can affect your car insurance costs for three to five years.
Charleston drivers with an incident pay $139 per month for car insurance, on average. How much your premium increases after an incident will depend on the severity of the offense and whether you have prior infractions on your record.
Cheapest car insurance for drivers with a speeding ticket: State Farm
You typically need to pay an up-front fine for a speeding ticket. Receiving a speeding ticket is a red flag for insurance companies, so insurers will likely charge you higher premiums, via a surcharge, for several years following a ticket.
Drivers in Charleston with a speeding ticket pay an overall average of $136 per month for car insurance. Find some of the cheapest options for drivers in this category below, and see how liability-only rates compare to those for drivers with a clean record.
Cheapest car insurance for drivers with an at-fault accident: State Farm
Many insurers view a past at-fault accident on record as an indicator of future claims. With this higher risk indicator, drivers with an at-fault accident tend to pay more for car insurance. Each month, drivers in Charleston with a past at-fault accident pay an overall average of $145 for car insurance.
See how liability rates for a clean driving record compare to rates for drivers with an at-fault accident in the table below.
Cheapest car insurance for drivers with a DUI: State Farm
One of the most serious moving violations, a DUI comes with financial consequences. Drivers with a DUI pay significantly higher rates for car insurance than drivers with less serious incidents in their past.
In Charleston, drivers with a past DUI pay an overall average of $196 per month for car insurance.
Here’s a breakdown of average liability quotes for drivers with a DUI in Charleston and how they compare to rates for drivers with a clean record.
Cheapest car insurance for seniors: State Farm
Most auto insurance companies consider your age when determining your premiums. Drivers typically pay lower starting around 25, and the downward trend in rates can continue for decades.
But around age 70, senior drivers might face increased car insurance rates because of increased accident risks.
Senior drivers in Charleston pay an overall average of $106 per month for car insurance. Take a look at the average car insurance quotes for older drivers in Charleston below.
Cheapest car insurance for teens: State Farm
Teen drivers lack experience behind the wheel, so they typically pay the highest insurance rates by driver age. Although it’s impossible to change your age, you don’t have to overpay for car insurance.
Teenagers in Charleston pay an overall average of $263 per month for car insurance.
Young drivers can save on car insurance costs by getting good grades, driving a safe vehicle, increasing their deductible, and looking for discounts. Also, shopping around can help you find the best deal for your needs.5
Explore the cheapest average quotes for young drivers below.
Charleston car insurance quotes by credit tier
Insurance companies in West Virginia can consider your credit history when determining premiums. In general, insurers offer lower rates to drivers with excellent or good credit. Drivers with poor credit pay more for car insurance.
Here are the average rates for full-coverage car insurance by credit tier:
Is car insurance more expensive in Charleston?
Drivers in Charleston pay an average monthly premium of $122, which is slightly higher than the state average of $115.
Coverage in Charleston is more affordable than some other popular cities in the Mountain State. For example, drivers in Huntington pay an average of $150 per month for full-coverage insurance, while Morgantown drivers pay $143.
Car insurance is generally cheaper in less populated cities like Charleston partially due to lower accident rates and traffic density.
More cities in West Virginia
If you live elsewhere in West Virginia, you’ll likely find different car insurance premiums.
Charleston drivers typically pay a bit less for coverage than drivers in other West Virginia cities. See how average quotes compare below.
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 500+ partner insurance providers and quote estimates from Quadrant Information Services. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.
Charleston car insurance FAQs
Before you start comparing quotes from top insurers, you should determine how much coverage you need. The following information should answer any remaining questions and help you navigate the process of buying cheap auto insurance in Charleston.
How much is car insurance in Charleston, West Virginia?
Charleston drivers pay $154 per month for full-coverage insurance and $90 for liability coverage. The overall cost of car insurance in the state is $122 per month. How much you pay for coverage depends on your driving record, age, vehicle type, and more.
What are the best car insurance companies in Charleston?
State Farm is the best car insurance company in Charleston. It earned an above-average customer satisfaction rating from J.D. Power and has an Insurify Quality (IQ) Score of 9.3 out of 5. Other top insurers include Erie and USAA.
What companies have the cheapest car insurance in Charleston?
State Farm, USAA, and Erie are the cheapest liability auto insurers in Charleston, with rates as low as $59, $71, and $72 per month, respectively.
Keep in mind that insurance professionals typically recommend buying more than your state's minimum required amount of coverage. Minimum coverage can leave you vulnerable to substantial financial loss if you cause an accident. And it won't pay to repair your vehicle.
How much is car insurance in West Virginia per month?
The overall cost of car insurance in West Virginia is $115 per month. On average, drivers in the state pay $82 per month for liability coverage and $148 for full-coverage insurance.
What car insurance do you need in West Virginia?
West Virginia drivers must carry the following amounts of minimum coverage:
Bodily injury liability: $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident
Property damage liability: $25,000 per accident
Uninsured motorist bodily injury liability: $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident
Uninsured motorist property damage liability: $25,000 per accident
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